Security system for a cubicle

Abstract

A collapsible security system includes a door having a plurality of collapsible panels. The security system can be mounted from a cubicle partition or a wall frame of a door. In the compressed position, the door of the security system allows access to the office space within the cubicle or room. When the panels are expanded and connected to the opposite frame of the cubicle partition or an opposing door, the security system no longer allows access to the office space. In one embodiment, the collapsible security system includes a rope fed through openings in the panels and a pulley hidden within the door frame and a weight on one end of the rope. A lock mechanism that frictionally engages the rope can be actuated to keep the collapsible panels in place. Alternatively, the lock mechanism can be released to allow the weight to compress the panels to automatically allow access to the office space. In another embodiment, the security system includes a locking bar that allows the panels to stay in the expanded position. In addition, two opposing panel doors can be mounted to a wall frame using spring-loaded hinges to allow the panel doors to swing open and closed. The shape of the door panel can be rectangular or can be cut to a very decorative shape. The door panel can include a permanent decorative or descriptive panel or a removable decorative or descriptive panel. The security system can be used for office cubicles, any commercial or residential doorways, cupboards, bookcases, or any place where a door can be used. The security system can also be used for construction, traffic control, advertisement, furniture, building materials, automotive privacy, outdoor weather protection, boat fabrication, water control, and air control.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A security system for a cubicle, comprising: 
       a vertically-oriented wall frame;  
       a door including a plurality of collapsible panels, the door being mounted to the vertically-oriented wall frame at a first end;  
       a compression mechanism mounted to the vertically-oriented wall frame the compression mechanism including a rope fed through at least one opening in the plurality of collapsible panels, the rope being looped over a pulley and having a weight attached to one end thereof; and  
       a locking mechanism for locking the plurality of collapsible panels in place.  
     
     
       2. The security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism frictionally engages the rope to lock the plurality of collapsible panels in place. 
     
     
       3. The security system according to  claim 1 , further including a decorative panel removably attached to the door for changing an appearance of the door.